11beta-hydroxy-11alpha-lower-alkylpregnane-3, 20-diones



2,944,069 1IB-HYDROXY-lIa-LOWER-ALKYLPREGNANE- 3,20-DllNES Gunther S. Fonken, Kalamazoo, Mich., assiguor to The wherein R is a OL-hYdlOXy, fi hydroxy or keto, and R is hydroxy or keto. The lower-alkyl radical contains from one to eight carbon atoms, inclusive, e.g., methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexy-l, isohexyl, heptyl, octyl, isog ggi gi Kalamazoo Mich" a corporation 5 heptyl, etc, preferably methyl, and the pregnane nucleus N0 Drawing. Filed May 23, 1957, Ser. No. 661,036 a f" 9 nmal.pregnane' 2 Claims It 1s an ob ect of this invention to provide the novel 3,20 dioxygenated 11B hydroxy 11a lower alkyl- This invention relates to organic compounds of the 10 Pregnanes, which useful in the treatment p pregnane series and is more particularly concerned with tension, nervous disorders and related illnesses since no f l 3,20-dioxygenated-11/3-hydroXy-11walkylpregnanes they possess central nervous system depressant activity Whlch y be illustrated y the formula: and potentiate the activity of barbiturate drugs. The CH3 compounds also are usefiil in the production of other CH3 15 physiologically active ll-alkyl steroids (-e;g., ll-methylp.3 hydrocortisone, described and claimed in eopending aplower-alkyl plication Serial No. 510,516, filed May 23, 1955, now HO US. Patent No. 2,880,204) by the method described in CH3 copending application Serial No. 661,037,'filed May 23,

' The compounds of the present invention are produced R1 in accordance with the following:

CH3 CH3 E e C=ketal C=ketal CH3 CH3 ketal- 0H" Ia Ib CH3 CH3 CH3 CH2 =ketal t5=keta1 lower-alkyl lower-21135 1 110% Hz CH3 keta1 3 OH- 3 Ha IIb A O=O lower-alkyt ketal lower-alkyf lower-alkyl HO HO OH CH IIIc IIIb CH CHa OH: ()HOH OHOH lower-anal lower-alkyh OH OH IIId IV Thus, 5a(or 5fl)-pregnane,3,11,20-trione 3,20-diketal (Ia) is alkylated at the 11 position with an alkyl metal compound to produce 1lfl-hydroxy-l1u-alkyl-5 x(or 5B)- pregnane-3,20-dione 3,20-diketal (Ha), which is then hydrolyzed to produce the novel llpi-hydroxy-llot-alkyl- 511(01" 5 8)pregnane-3,20-dione (I110). The thus produced lla-alkyl compounds (IIIc) are then reduced at the 3 and 20 positions to yield the novel 3a(or 3fl),ll 3,-

which on further reduction yields the 3 x(-or 3/3),1l 8,20-

trihydroxy-11oc-alky1-5e(or 5a)-pregnane (IV) of the present invention.

The novel 3a(or 3,8),115,20-trihydroxy-1lwalkyl-SB- (or 5a)-pregnane (IV) additionally can be obtained from 3a(or 3,8)-hydroxy-5B(or 5a)-pregnane-11,20-dione 20- ketal (Ib) by alkylating the said mono ketal with an alkyl metal compound to give 3a(0r 3fi),l1B-dihydnoxy lla-alkyl-5fi(or 5u)-pregnane-20-one 20-ketal (11b). The latter compound is then hydrolyzed to produce the novel 3 x(or 3e),1lfl-dihydroxy-l1aa1kyl-5B(or 5a)- pregnane-ZO-one (11112), which is then reduced to yield the novel 3u(or 3B),llfiQO-trihydroxy-l1u-alkyl-5fl(or 5u)-pregnane (IV) of the present invention. Whether the 30: or the 3,8ahydroxy product (IV) is obtained depends on the configuration of the S-hydrogen of the steroid to be reduced. Thus, reduction of 11,6,20-dihydroxy-l1o-alkyl-5,8-pregnane-3-one (IIId) gives the 3ahydroxy product, whereas reduction of the 50: isomer of IIId yields the BB-hydroxy steroid.

The ketal radicals of the aforementioned compound are cyclic radicals of the formula \O-CHR wherein n is the integer one or two and R is hydrogen methylpropyl, amyl, hexyl, etc., the 1,2-alkylene kebals being preferred.

The starting 50c steroids (Ia) can be prepared from the known 5a-p-regnane-3,l1,20-trione by ketalizin-g at the 3 and 20 positions as described in preparation 1 herein.

The ketalization of 5/3-pregnane-3,l1,20-trione to prepare the IIa compounds or the ketalization of 3a-hydroxypregnane-11,20-dione to prepare the IIb compounds can be carried out in known manner as is disclosed, for example, in US. Patents No. 2,773,059 and No. 2,773,060. For example, in the 3,20-diketalization and the 20-monoketalization, the steroid compounds are mixed with about two and one-half to 25 times the theoretical quantity of the desired alkanediol, preferably an alkane 1,2-diol or an alkane-1,3-diol corresponding to the above-described cyclic ketal radical. An organic nonreactive solvent is used, and the reaction temperature is maintained between about twenty and about 200 degrees centigrade. The time required for the reaction is not critical and can be varied between about one and about 24 hours, the length of time being somewhat dependent on the temperature, the ketalizing agent and the catalyst employed.

As disclosed in the patents previously referred to, acid ketalizing catalysts such as a mineral acid or an organic sulfonic acid are used, e.g., orthoand paratoluenesulfonic acids, naphthalenesulfonic acid, benzenesulfonic acid, ortho-chlorobenzenesulfonic acid, hydrochloric acid, and sulfuric acid. The ketalizing reaction can be conducted in any organic solvent with which the reactants and products are nonreactive, such as, for example, benzene, toluene, xylene, methylene chloride, petroleum ether, diethyl ether, and the like; the Water-azeotrope forming solvents are preferred.

Selective hydrolysis of the 3,20-diketal (11a) to produce the 3-monoketal (IIIa) is carried out in a solvent medium using a dilute concentration of a strong acid, preferably in excess of that theoretically required to accomplish mono-hydrolysis. The solvent is preferably water-miscible such as acetone, methanol, ethanol, and

Under these reaction conditions, the ZO-ketal group is hydrolyzed, and the result ing 3-m0n0ketal can be separated from the reaction mixor lower alkyl containing one to six carbon atoms, in-

ture by conventional procedures.

Cpmpounds III]: and IIIc, above, can be reketalized in accordance with the process described in the foregoing paragraphs to produce IIb and Ila,- i'e'sp'ectivelyj 1 l t'is to be understood'that' esters of the aforementioned compounds of the present invention also are included warns the scope thereof, the esters being useful for the same purposes as the parent hydroxy compounds. Examples of these esters are: 11,8-hydroxy-11a-alkyl-5a(or /3)-pregnane-3,20-dione 1 lfl-monoesters; 3u(or 3,8),l1 8, '20-trihydroxy-l1a-alkyl-5/3(or 5u)-pregnane llfl and 20- inonoesters; 3zx(0r 3/3),11[3-, 3oc(0r 3B),20-, and 1118,20- die'sters', and 3,113,20-tries'ters; 3x(or 3,8),116-dihydroxylla-alkyl-filflor 5a)-pregnane-20-one 3- and H S-monoesters and 3,115-diesters; and 11fi,20oc(0r 2OB)-dihydroxy-11a-alkyl-5a(or 5fi)-pregnane-3-one 11B- and 20- monoesters and 1113,20-diesters. Preferably the ester radical is a hydrocarbonyloxy [hydrocarbon-4i-O-1 :radical containing less than twelve carbon atoms. A preferred embodiment of the said radical is acetoxy; Of particular interest are the esters of the 3- and/or 20-hydroxy steroids of this invention which convey water solubility through salt formation of the physiologically comp tible cations or anions. Examples of such ester radi- Jcals are the hemisuccinate, the hemi-(5,{3-dimethylglutar- .:ate), and the glycine radical.

Illustrative ester radicals are those containing acyl radiccals of the acids formic, propionic, butyric, isobutyric,

valeric, isovaleric, trimethylacetic, Z-methylbutyric, 3- ethylbutyric, hexanoic, diethylacetic, triethylacetic, heptanoic, octanoic, optically active abietic, a-ethylisovaleric, cyclopropylideneacetic, cyclopentylformic, cyclopentylacetic, a and B-cyclopentylpropionic, cyclohexylformic, cyclohexylacetic, a and fl-cyclohexylpropionic, benzoic, 2, 3 or 4-methylbenzoic, 2,3-, 2,4, 2,5-, 2,6-, 3,4-, and 3,5-dirnethylbenzoic, ethylbenzoic, 2,4,6-trimethylbenzoic, 2,4,6-triethylbenzoic, u-naphthoic, 3-methyl-a-naphthoic, phenylacetic, a and fi-phenylpropionic, diphenylacetic, triphenylacetic, succinic, glutaric, a-methylglutaric, flrmethylglutaric, B,5dimethylglutaric, adipic, pimelic, snberic, glycolic, lactic, citric, tartaric, d-malic, d-glyceric, malonic, gluconic, salicylic, glycine, diglycollamic, triglycollamic, methylglycine, dimethylglycine, diethylglycine, para-aminosalicylic, para-aminobenzoic, ethylmercaptoacetic, benzylmercaptoacetic, cyanoacetic, chloroacetic, fiuoroacetic, trichloroacetic, trifluoroacetic, thioglycolic, 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoic, u-naphthoxyacetic, flpyrrolidylpropionic, carbamic acid, phenylcarbamic, nbutylcarbamic, dimethylcarbamic, diethylcarbamic, allophanic, oz and B-furylcarboxylic, N-methylpyrrolidyl-Z- carboxylic, a-picolinic, indole-Z-carboxylic, S-hydroxyindolyl-3-acetic, N-methylmorpholyl-2-carboxylic, pyrrolyl- 2-carboxylic, etc.

The esterification reactions are carried out in known manner; for example, the 3,11-dihydroxy compounds IIIb and the 3,11,20-trihydroxy compounds IV can be esterified by reaction with an excess of the selected acid anhydride or acid chloride or bromide, preferably in the presence of pyridine or like tertiary aromatic amine, or by reaction with the selected acid in the presence of an .esterification catalyst or with an ester under ester exchange conditions, Partial esters can be prepared by known methods, e.g., by partial hydrolysis of the completely esterified compound, or, alternatively, by partial esterification of a polyhydroxy compound such as IIIb or IV,

The alkylation step, in the present process, i.e., conversion of a starting ll-keto compound to an Ila-alkylllB-hydroxy compound, e.g., the conversion of 5u(or 5,3)-pregnane-3,11,20-trione 3,20-diketal (Ia) to 116- hydroxy-'lla-alkyl-5w(or 5 8)-pregnane-3,'20-dione 3,20- diketal I'Ia) and 304(01' 3fl)-hydroxy-5[i(or Sod-pregnane-JLZO-dione ZO-ketal (112) to 3a(or 3,6),11 9-dihydroxy11a-alkyl-5fi(or 5a)-pregnane-20-one ZO-ketal (11b), is accomplished by reacting the starting ll-keto compound with a lower-alkyllithium, cg," methyl-,ethyl-, propyl-, butyl-, isobutyl-, 'amyl-, hexyl heptyl-, octyl-, etc. lithium, with methyllithium being preferred. The usual prior art reaction conditions for alkylation of a carbonyl group with an alkyllithium can be employed. Normally the present alkylation is carried out at about room temperature, i.e., between about fifteen and about 35 degrees centigrade, without heating or cooling. However, somewhat lower and higher temperatures may be employed if desired. The intermediate lla-alk'yl-l 1,3- hydroxy lithium complex compound is decomposed with water, acid, methanol, ethanol, etc., according to known methods, to produce the desired llvt-filkYi-llfi-ilYdIOXY- steroid, e.g., 1lfl-hydroxy-1lot-alkyl-5a(or 5B)-pregnane- 3,20-dione 3,20-diketal (H0) and 3a(or 3 3),1lB-dihydroxy-l 1oc-alky1-5B(O1' 5a)pregnane-20-one 20-ketal (11b). The epimeric llfi-alkyl-lla-hydroxy isomers also are produced in small amounts in the alkylation reaction, these epimers possessing steroid hormone activity similar to cortisone and hydrocortisone.

The hydrolysis steps in the present process involve cleavage of a 20-ketoster0id 20-ketal to regenerate the 20- ketosteroid, e.g., conversion of llfl-hydroxy-lla-alkyl 5a(or 5B)-pregnane-3,20-dione 3,20diketal (11a) to 115 hydroxy 11oz alkyl 5a(or 5,6) pregnanc- 3,20 dione (H10) and 3a(or 3,6),115 dihydroxy llaalkyl 55(or 50; pregnane 20 one ZO-ketal (11b) to 3a(or 3,8),115 dihydroxy 110: alkyl 5,8(or'5u)- pregnane-ZO-one (I I-lb). The ketal compound is dissolved in an organic solvent, and this solution is admixed with at least a theoretical amount, and preferably an excess, of water as the hydrolyzing agent. The organic solvent is preferably of the water-miscible type, such as, for example, acetone, methanol, ethanol, dioxane, and the like. Ordinarily, it is preferred to use a temperature between about twenty and about forty degrees centigrade in carrying out the reaction, but temperatures as low as zero and as high as degrees centigrade or even higher are operative. The time required for the reaction can be varied between about one and about 24 hours, depending on the temperature and the hydrolyzing agent employed. The amount of acid may be varied over a Wide range. Amounts from a trace to a large excess are operative. The agent is a strong acid such as, for example, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, orthoor para-toluenesul-fonic acid, naphthalene sulfonic acid, benzenesulfonic acid, orthochlorobenzenesulfonic acid, trichloroacetic acid, or the like, with sulfuric acid and hydrochloric acid being preferred. The acid 'hydrolyzing agent is generally employed as a dilute aqueous solution. Acid concentrations in the reaction mixture of about 0.1 percent to about twenty percent are preferably employed, but lower and higher concentrations are operative. When selective hydrolysis of the ZO-ketal radical of a 3:,20'diketal is desired, e.g., conversion of llfl-hydroxy- 1la-alkyl-5a(or 5fi-pregnane-3,20-dione 3,20-diketal (Ila) to 1lfi-hydroxy-lla-alkyl-5u(or 5 3)-pregnane-3,20- dione 3-ketal (Illa), the lower reaction temperatures, lower acid concentrations, and a shorter reaction period are employed to limit the hydrolysis reaction and obtain a satisfactory yield of 3-mono-ketal. Hydrolysis of a 3-monoketal radical, e.'g., conversion of llB-hydroxy- 11a-alkyl-5a(or 5fi)-pregnane-3,20dione S-ketal (I I Ia) to l 1 fi-hydroxy-l la-alkyl-S a(OI' 5,8)-pregnane-3,20-dione (-IIIc), is accomplished by the more vigorous conditions outlined above.

The reduction step of the present invention involves conversion of a 20-ketosteroid to a ZO-hydroxy-steroid, e.g., conversion of 3oc(O1' 3,8),1lfi-dihydroxy-llu-alkyl- 55(or 5a)-pregnane-20-one (-I'Hb), 1l 8-hydroxy 11aalkyl 5a(or 5B pregnane 3,20 dione (Inc) and 11,8,20 dihy-droxy 11a alkyl 5a(01 5e) pregnancthe scope thereof.

washed with four one-liter portions of water.

"thei formula I; J

on. (111d) to 3a(0r 3n),11p,20 trihydroxy 11oz- 'alkyl+5 3(or 5u)-pregnane (IV), and is accomplished by mixmg a reducing agent with the ketosteroid in the presence of a nonreacting organic solvent. Reducing agents such as, for example, lithium aluminum hydride,

lithium ,borohydride, sodium borohydride, hydrogen in the presence of catalysts such as palladium and others are operative, with sodium borohydride being preferred.

1 Solvents such as, for example, ether, benzene, tetrahydrofuran, petroleum ether, and others are satisfactory.

In the preferred embodiment of this step of the process, sodium borohydride is admixed with methanol and allowed to contact the steroid for a period of several hours, preferably with constant mixing. Reduction will proceed over a wide range of temperatures, this range being limited only by the boiling point of the solvent and freezing point of the reaction mixture. At room temperature a contact period of eight to sixteen hours may be required, depending on the ratio of reducing agent to steroid and. the number of carbonyl groups to be reduced. A liberal excess of sodium borohydride over that theoretically required should be used where the possibility exists of a selective reduction of B-carbonyl group. i

The desired trihydroxysteroid is separated from the reaction mixture by conventional procedure. Thus, when employing reducing agents such as lithium aluminum hydride or sodium borohydride, the reaction mixture'is hydrolyzed with water upon completion of the reduction, followed by extraction and recrystallization from an organic solvent.

When selective reduction of the 3-keto group in a 3,20-diketosteroid is desired, e.g., conversion of 1lfi-hydroxy-lla-alkyl-5u(or SfiO-pregnane- 513(or 5a)-pregnane-20-one (I I-Ib), sodium borohydride is employed as the reducing agent under carefully controlledconditions.

As previously indicated, the isomeric form of the 3- ,hydroxy group produced on reduction of the 3-keto .group is determined by the configuration of the nuclear hydrogen at the 5 position of the starting steroid; Thus, "a 3'-keto-5 3-pregnane compound is reduced to the 3mhydroxy steroid, while the B-keto-Sa-pregnane gives the 3fi-hydroxy compound.

The preparations and examples which follow are illusent invent-ion and are not to be construed as limiting PREPARATION l Sa-pregliarie-il1,20-trine 3,20-bis(ethylene acetal) (Ia) A mixture of 22 grams of aapregnane-3,l1,20-trione,

' l00u'1illiliters of ethylene glycol, five grams of paraanes to give 14.99 grams of 5u-pregnane-3,ll,20 trione 3,20-bis(ethylene acetal), melting point 207 to 210 degrees centigrade, [ocJ plus 48 degrees (acetone).

' In the same manner but substituting for the ethylene glycol above compounds having cyclic ketal radicals of wherein-n is the integer one or two and R is hydrogen or lower alkyl containing one to six carbon atoms, inclusive, e.g., methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, lmethylpropyl, amyl, hexyl, etc, is productive of the corresponding 3,20-diketa1s.

PREPARATION 2 1lfl-hydroxy-I1a-methyl-5a-pregnane-3,20-dione bis(ethylenie acetal) (Ila) A solution of ten grams of 5u-pregnane-3,1l,20-trione 3,20-bis(ethylene acetal) (la) in 150 milliliters of benzene and 100 milliliters of ether was treated with 100 milliliters of molar ethereal methylli-thium at room temperature overnight. The excess methyllithium was decomposed by the cautious addition of water, and the organic phase was separated and washed twice with Water. Filtration through anhydrous sodium sulfate followed by evaporation of the filtrate at reduced pressure followed by crystallization of the residue from about 100 milliliters of Skellysolve B hexanes gave 8.5 grams of llfi-hydroxy-d1a-methyl-Sa-pregnane-Ii,ZO-dione bis- (ethyleneacetal), melting point 131m 133 degrees centigrade. Recrystallization from Skellysolve B hex-anes gave a pure sample, melting point 135 to 136 degrees centigrade. The infrared spectrum showed hydroxyl and ketal absorption bands, with only a trace of carbonyl absorption.

If for the methyllithium employed above there is substituted another lower-alkyllithium, e.g., ethyl-, propyl-,

butyl-, isobuty1-, amyl-, hexyl-, heptyl-, octyl-, etc, the corresponding ll-alkylated steroids are produced.

Similarly, substitution of other 3,20-diketals as indicated'in Preparation 1 is productive of the correspond- -3,20-dione (1110) to 3a(or 3/3),1lB-dihydroxy-lla-alkyling ll-allryla'ted 3,20-diketals.

PREPARATION 3 (ethylene acetal) (Ila) A solution of 12.7 grams (thirty millimoles) of 5;8 pregnane-3-,ll,20trione 3,201bis(ethy1ene acetal) (la) in 150 milliliters of benzene (dried over calcium hydride) was diluted with 150 milliliters of anhydrous ether and trative of the process yielding the products of the pres- .'treated with 100 milliliters (67 rnillimoles) of 0.67 M

methyllithium (ethereal). Appreciable heat was evolved,

but no precipitate was formed.

The mixture was allowed to stand for forty hours at room temperature (although there is evidence that the reaction is practically instantaneous) and was then cautiously treated with water to destroy .the excess methyllithium. The organic phase was washed several times with water (the last Wash having pH about 5), filtered through anhydrous sodium sulfate, and evaporated to dryness, giving the desired llfi-hydroxy-lIu-methyl-Sflpregnane-3,20-dione 3,20-bis(ethylene acetal) (IIa) as a white foam.

PREPARATION 4 1 Iii-hydroxy-I 1 a-butyl-5/3-pregnane-3,20-dion e bis(ethylene acetal) (IIa) But yllithium was prepared from 2.6 grams of lithium wire in sixty milliliters of ether to which, at minus ten degrees centigrade, 20.6 grams of butyl bromide in thirty -.liliters of benzene and fifty milliliters of ether.

milliliters of ether was added. To 100 milliliters of this solution was added a solution of 4.18 grams of Sfi-pregnane-3,l1,20-trione 3,30-bis(ethylene acetal) in 25 mil- The mix- 4 tur'e, after standing at room temperature overnight, was cautiously treated with water, washed several times with Water, filtered through sodium sulfate, and evaporated to give a pale-yellow glass. This was dissolved in 25 milliliters of anisole and 200 milliliters of Skellysolve'B (hexane hydrocarbons) and chromatographed over a five 'by twentyzcentimeter Flon'sil magnesium silicate column,

taking l-liter eluate fractions.

Frac Solvent Residue Weight Appearance tion (gram) Anisole, Skellysolve B Skellysolve B 0 10% ether-Skellysolve Bu". 0.291 Gryst, M.P. Q l2313l.

50% ether-Skellys0lve B... (Not Weighed Oil.

reehromatographed). V 2% acetone-Skellysolve B 0.213 O l. 6--. 25% acetone-Skellysolve 13 0.941 Oil. 7 Acetone 0.016

Reohrornatography of fraction 4 over a fresh column, taking 3301I11llll1li61 fractions, afiorded more crystalline Fractions 12 and 13 were combined with the material (from traction 3 of the earlier chromatogram to give 0.58 gram of crude 1lfi-hydroxy-l1a-buty1-5,8-pregnane-3,20'- dione bis(ethy1ene .acetal) (IIa).

PREPARATION 5 1 IB-hydroxy-I 1 a-melhyl-5fl-pregnane-3,ZO-dione 3-erhylene aceml (Illa) A solution of two grams of llfi-hydroxy-llu-methyl- 5fi-pregnane-3,20-dione 3,204bis(et-hy.lene acetal) (Ila) is dissolved in twenty milliliters of acetic acid containing two. milliliters of water and maintained at five to eight degrees centigrade for eighteen hours. At the end of this period, dilution with water and neutralization of the acetic acid with sodium bicarbonate gives crude llp-hy- .droxy-l1a-methyl-fi-pregnane-3,20-dione 3-ethylene acetal (Illa), which is recrystallizedtrom acetone-Skelly- .solve B hexanes to give a substantially pure product.

(See. also Example 1.)

In exactly the same manner, but substituting the 5:2 isomer of 11/3-hydroxy-11a-methyl-5p4pregnane-3,20-dione 3,20-bis(ethylene acetal) (Ila) as the starting material, there is produced the corresponding llfi-hydroxy- 11mmethyI-Sw regnane-S,20 dione 3-ethylene acetal acetal (IIIa).

PREPARATION 6 3a,11;8-dihydroxy-1 1 a-methyl-Sfi-pregnafle-ZO-one ethylen acetal (II b) -A solution of 13.6 grams of 3a-hydroxy-5fl-pregnane- 11,20-dione 20-ethylene acetal (1b) in 150 milliliters of benzene and 100 milliliters of ether was treated with 144 milliliters of molar ethereal met-hyllithium at room temperature overnight. The organic solution was washed .twice with Water, filtered through sodium sulfate, and :evaporated to dryness at reduced pressure. Chromatog- .raphic separation yielded 301,1lpedihydroxydla methyl- 5fi-pregnane-20-one ethylene acetal (IIb) melting at 234 10236 degrees centigrade.

..Analysis.Calculated for C H 0 c, 73.42; H, 10.27. Found: C, 74.91; H, 10.11.

EXAMPLE 1 1 1 fi-hydroxy-l 1 a-methyl-5 8-pregnane-3,20-diane (I) The 11,6-hydroxy-1 Ia-methyI-SB- regnane 3,20 dione 3-20-ibis(ethylene acetal) (Ha) from Preparation 3 above was dissolved in 200 milliliters of hot methanol and ten milliliters of 3 N sulfuric acid added. After about twenty hours at room temperature the slow addition or 190 milliliters of water was begun, thereby initiating crystallization of the product. The slurry was then cooled to about minus eighteen degrees centigrade and maintained at that temperature overnight, filtered, and the cake washed repeatedly with water and dried in vacuo at sixty degrees centigrade. The yield of crude material Was 9.46 grams, melting point to degrees .centigrade. Recrystallization irom a minimum amount of acetone in Skellysolve B (hexane hydrocarbons) gave 6.75 grams (65 percent of theoretical) of good quality 11fi-hydroxy- 11a-methyl-5fi-pregnane-3,ZO-dione (IIIc), melting point 162 to 165.5 degrees centigrade.

A sample was prepared tor analysis by repeated recrystallization fnom acetone-Skellysolve B and was found to melt at 171 to 173 degrees centigrade, [(11 plus 106 degrees (acetone).

Analysis.Calculated for C H O C, 76.26; H, 9.89. Found: C, 76.58; H, 9.98.

From another experiment on the same scale, the total crude product after acid hydrolysis was recovered by methylene chloride extraction and subjected to chromatography over 350 grams of synthetic magnesium silicate. The adsorbent was packed in Skellysolve B hexanes and the steroidal materials put on the column in 350 milliliters of methylene chloride. Elution was with 350-milliliter portions of solvents except as otherwise indicated in the following tabulation:

Weight of Eluted Material (milligrams) Fraction No. Solvent J. 2% dflcetone-Skellysolve B o 278. Brown oil, small amount.

Fractions 22 to 32 inclusive were combined and crystallized from acetone-Skellysolve B to give 3.09 grams of 1 1fi-hydroxy-11a-methyl-5fl-pregnane-3,20-dione (IIIc) melting point 164-167 degrees centigrade.

Fractions 11 to 21 inclusive were combined and crystallized from acetone-Skellysolve B to give 1.18 grams of 1 lfi-hydroxy-l 1a-methyl-5ppregnane-3,20-dione 3-(ethylene acetal) melting point 139-442 degrees centigrade, as in Preparation 5.

Analysis.Calculated for C H O C, 73.80; H, 9.81. Found; C, 73.43, 73.62; H, 10.36, 10.33. a

In like manner, utilizing as the 3,20-diketal intermediate to the 11B-hydroxy-11u-methyl-5fl-pregnane-3,20-dione (IIIc) of the present example other ll-alkylated steroids, e.-g., where the ll-alkyl groups are those described in Preparation 2 (and made by the process of Preparation 3 employing other al'kyl lithiums), there is produced the corresponding 11;8hydroxy-11a-a1ky1-513- pregnane-3,20-dione.

7 EXAMPLE 2 1 lfl-hydroxy ll a-butyl-fi-pregnane-3,20-dione (1110) EXAMPLE 3 1 lfi-hydroxy-J 1 a-methyl-5a-pregnane-3,20-dione (INC) A solution of 8.35 grams of llfl-hydroxy-lla-methyl- 5upregnane-3,2O-dione bis(ethylene acetal) in 150 milli- 1 liters of methanol was treated with ten milliliters of 3 N sulfuric acid at room temperature, overnight; At the end of this period crystallization had begun, and addition of ten milliliters of waterrapidly caused further crystallation. The crystalline product was recovered by liltration, washed with aqueous four percent sodium bicarbonate solution and with water, and dried in vacuo at sixty degrees centigrade to give 6.51 grams of 1113- hydroxy-llu methyl-5u-pregnane-3,20-dione, melting at 208 to 212 degrees centigrade.

. EXAMPLE 4 11fl-hydroxy-11 a-methyl-5fi-pregnane-3,20-dione (lIIc) One hundred milligrams of llfl-hydroxy-lla-methyl- 5fi-pregnane-3,20-dione 3 ethylene acetal (IIIa) was treated with five milliliters of 0.1 N sulfuric acid in five milliliters of methanol to yield 85 milligrams of the hydrolysis product, 11 3-hydroxy-11a-methyl-5 8-pregnane- 3,20-dione (IIlc), melting at grade. 7

Substituting the Set-isomer of the starting material above in the hydrolysis reaction is productive of the corresponding 1 1 fl-hydroxy-1 1ot-methyl-5a-pregnane-3 ,20- dione (IIIc).

EXAMPLE 5 HfiJO-dihydroxy-I1a-methyl-5fl-pregnarte-3 one (Illd) A mixture of 500 milligrams of llfi-hydroxy-llamethyl-5/3-pregnane-3,20-dione 3-(ethyle1ie acetal) (Illa), (ten milliliters of methanol, and 122 milligrams of sodium borohydride was stirred at room temperature overnight. The ketal was then hydrolyzed by the addition of two milliliters of 3 N sulfuric acid in five milliliters of methanol, stirring being continued for four hours. Dilution "with water followed by extraction with methylene chloride gave an oil, which was chromatographed over Florisil. Elution with ten percent acetone-Skellysolve B gave 115,20 dihydroxy 11cc methyl 5,3 pregnane 3- 'one (IIId), which was identified by conversion of an aliquot portion to the corresponding ZO-acetate by acetylation with eight milliliters of 'acetic anhydride in eight milliliters of pyridine, the mixture beingleft at room temperature overnight. Recrystallization from acetone- Skellysolve B yielded the acetate, characterized. as follows: melting point,167 to 169 degrees centigrade; [or] 167 tojl68 degrees centi- 183 degrees centigrade.

'12 plus 42 degrees (acetone); a carbonyl absorption (3- ketone) at 1707 cmr Analysis.-Calculated for C H O C, 73.80; H, 9.81. Found: C, 73.82; H, 9.77.

In exactly the same manner as indicated above, but substituting the Sec isomer of 11 fi-hydroxy-lla-methyl-SB- pregnane-3,20-dione 3-(ethylene ketal) (IIIa) as the starting material, there is produced 116,20-dihydroxy- 1 1u-methyl-5a-pregnane-3 -one (IIId) EXAMPLE 6 3a,I1;3-dihydr0xy-11 a-methyl-5,8-pregnane-20-one (111 b) The product from Preparation 6, 3a,11fi-dihydroxyl1u-methyI-SB-pregnane-ZO-one ethylene acetal (IIb), was dissolved in 200 milliliters of methanol and treated with ten milliliters of 3 N sulfuric acid at room temperature for 28 hours. Addition of 200 milliliters of water and cooling in a refrigerator overnight produced a gel which, on standing at room temperature, gave 6.74 grams of crystalline solid having a melting point of 149 to 168 degrees centigrade. Repeated recrystallizationfronif acetone-Skellysolve B yielded 0.22 gram of pure 30:,116- dihydroxy-l1a-methyI-SB-pregnane-ZO-one '(IIIb), which melted at 184 to 186 degrees centigrade; [al plus 111 degrees (acetone).. I

Analysis.- -Calculated for C H O C, 75.81; H, 10.41. Found: C, 75.43; H, 10.25.

EXAMPLE 7 3a,] Ifl-dihydroxy-I1u-methyl-S/S-pregnane-ZO-one (lIIb) To a solution of 1.9 grams of 11 fi-hydroxy-lla-methyl- 5fl-pregnane-3,20-dione (1110) in ten milliliters of cooled dioxane (containing peroxide equivalent to 0.523 gram of hydrogen peroxide per liter) was added a solution of '62 milligrams ofsodium borohydride in one milliliter of 0.1 N sodium hydroxide. The mixture. was stirred with ice-bath cooling for two minutes, and then twelve milliliters of Water was added gradually over a fiveminute period. Then 0.65 milliliter of concentrated hydrochloric acid and about milliliters of water were added and the mixture extracted with methylene chloride. The extracts yielded, on evaporation and crystallization of the residue from acetone-Skellysolve B and then from ethyl acetate, 0.93 gram of 3u,11 3-dihydroxy 11a-methyl-5fi-pregnane-20-one (IIIb) melting at 181to Following exactly the above procedure but substituting for the starting material the 50s isomer thereof is productive of 311,11,8-dihydroxy-11a-methyI-Saregnane-ZQ-one (IIIb). V EXAMPLE 8 3oi,II 3-dihydr0xy-1Ia-methyl-Sfi-pregnan-ZO-one 3-hemisuccinate t A mixture of 6.6 grams of 3a,1lfi-dihydroxy-11amethyl-5B-pregnane-20-one (IIIb), 6.6 grams of succinic anhydride and sixty milliliters of pyridine was refluxed for 21 hours and then poured over crushed ice. After the ice had melted the product was recovered by filtration and washed with water, 1 N hydrochloric acid,'and water; weight: 5.67 grams, melting point 153 to 156degrees centigrade. A sample was recrystallized several times from aqueous methanol to melting ,point .156 .to 159 degrees centigrade, [ocl plus 104 degrees (acetone).

Analysis. Calculated for C H O C, 69.61; H, 8.99; Sap. Eq. 224.3. Found: C, 69.69; H, 8.96;.Sap. Eq.

The sodium salt was prepared as a buffered preparation by stirring 5.2 grams of the above productand 3.1

grams of trisodium phosphate dodecahydrate in 100Qmilliliters of water together for thirty minutes, filtering through a Seitz filter, and lyophilizing the filtrate. There was obtained 7.0 grams of fluffy solid.

Other esters are formed by substitution of the appropriate esterifying agent for the succinic anhydride above. The desired ester radicals are, for example, those containing the acyl radicals of the acids formic, propionic, butyric, isobutyric, Valerie, isovaleric, trimethylacetic, Z-methylbutyric, 3-ethylbutyric, hexanoic, diethylacetic, triethylacetic, heptanoic, octanoic, optically active abietic, ot-ethylisovaleric, cyclopropylideneacetic, cyclopentylformic, cyclopentylacetic, a and B-cyclopentylpropionic, cyclohexylformic, cyclohexylacetic, a and fi-cyclohexylpropionic, benzoic, 2, 3 or 4-methylbenzoic, 2,3-, 2,4-, 2,5-, 2,6,-, 3,4-, and 3,5-dimethylbenzoic, ethylbenzoic, 2,4,6-trimethylbenzoic, 2,4,6triethylbenzoic, wnaphthoic, 3-methyl-a-naphthoic, phenylacetic, u and fl-phenylpropionic, diphenylacetic, triphenylacetic, succinic, glutaric, a-methylglutaric, fi-methylglutaric, Bfi-dimethylglutaric, adipic, pimelic, suberic, glycolic, lactic, citric, tartaric, d-malic, d-glyceric, malonic, gluconic, salicylic, glycine, diglycollamic, triglycollamic, methylglycine, dimethylglycine, diethylglycine, para-aminosalicylic, para-aminobenzoic, ethylmercaptoacetic, benzylrnercaptoacetic, cyanoacetic, chloroacetic, fluoroacetic, trichloroacetic, trifluoroacetic, thioglycolic, 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoic, otnaphthoxyacetic, fi-pyrrolidylpropionic, carbamic acid, phenylcarbamic, n-butylcarbamic, dimethylc-arbamic, diethylcarbamic, allophanic, oz and fi-furylcarboxylic, N- methyl-pyrrolidyl 2 carboxylic, Ot-PlCOllIIlC, indole-Z- carboxylic, 6-hydroxyindolyl-3-acetic, N-methylmorpholy1-2-carboxy]ic, pyrrolyl-Z-carboxylic, etc.

Following exactly the above procedure but substituting for the starting material the 504 isomer thereof is productive of the corresponding 3-esters of 3a,11fl-dihydroxy-l 1a-methyl-Sa-pregnane-ZO-one.

EXAMPLE 9 3a,I1p,20-trihydroxy-11rx-methyZ-Sfl-pregnane (IV) A mixture of 500 milligrams of 11,8-hydroxy-11amethyl-Sfl-pregnane-S,ZO-dione (IIIc), ten milliliters of methanol and 25 miligrams of sodium borohydride is stirred continuously for sixteen hours at room temperature. At the end of this period 150 milliliters of hot water is added to the reaction mixture. Cooling the mixture to room temperature yields a crystalline product which, on extraction with ether and recrystallization from acetone-water, gives essentially pure 3a,11p,20-trihydroxy-lIa-methyI-Sfl-pregnane (IV).

Repeating the above procedure but substituting 115, ZO-dihydroxy-l1a-methyl-5fl-pregnane-3-one (111d) or 3a, 1lfi-dihydroxy-l1a-methyl-5 8-pregnane-20-0ne (IIIb) as the starting material and adding 125 milligrams of sodium borohydride instead of the 15 milligrams used therein as the reducing agent, there is produced 3a,11{3,20-trihydroxy-lIa-methyl-Sfi-pregnane (IV) in substantially pure form.

In the same manner, llfi-hydroxy-llu-aIkyl-SQ-pregnanes having other lower alkyl substituents at the position, i.e., those indicated in Preparation 2 above, are converted to the corresponding 3ot,l16,20-trihydroxy-11aalkyl-Sfi-pregnanes (IV).

EXAMPLE 10 3,3,1 1/3,20-trihydr0xy-1lot-methyl-j'ot-pregnane (IV) Following the procedure of Example 9 but substituting for the appropriate starting materials therein the corresponding 5a isomers, i.e., 11,B-hydroxy-1lwmethyl-Sapregnane-3,2G-dione (H10) and l1,8,20-dihydroxy-1lamethyl 5a-pregnane3-one (IIId), there is produced 3B, 11fl,20-trihydroxy-11ot-methyl-5ot-pregnane (IV) in substantially pure form.

Similarly, starting steroids having other lower alkyl groups at the 11a position, i.e., those indicated in Preparation 2 above, are converted to the corresponding 3;), 1 1,6,20-trihydroxy-l Ia-alkyl-Su-pregnanes (IV) It is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the exact details of operation or exact compounds shown and described, as obvious modifications and equivalents will be apparent to one skilled in the art; the invention is therefore to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. lla-alkylated steroids represented by the following formula:

lower alkyl 2. 1 lfl-hydroxy- 1 1ot-methy1-5 8-pregnane3 ,ZO-dione.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,255,264 Marker Sept. 9, 1941 2,647,134 Hogg July 28, 1953 2,683,724 Hogg et al. July 13, 1954 2,728,782 Magerlein et al. Dec. 27, 1955 2,752,369 Holysz June 26, 1956 2,773,888 Oliveto et a1. Dec. 11, 1956 2,824,871 Levin et al. M Feb. 25, 1958 OTHER REFERENCES Elseviers Encyclopaedia of Organic Chemistry, Se-

ries III, vol. 14, Supplement (Amsterdam: Elsevier Pub. Co., 1956), Page 2108s. 

1. 11A-ALKYLATED STEROIDS REPRESENTED BY THE FOLLOWING FORMULA: 